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Summary

Early darkness ensured that neither of the weekend's games reached a proper conclusion, but there was still time for the sainted Nicholas to thunder past the century mark on Saturday.

Saturday 20th: Denham v Ruislip Manor (Scorecards)

Denham got off to a rattling start due to to the bat of James Nicholas. He was well supported by quickfire twenties from Andy Leach (25), Faisal (27), Alex Hales (24) and Bobby Rai (24 not out). Showing particular skill in his shot placement, James went on to disappoint those who had come to see him fail by getting out in the nineties in his customary way. He stormed over the hundred mark and was unbeaten on 133 at the close, helping Denham reached the formidable total of 273/6 off their 40 overs.

Ruislip Manor also found the pitch to their liking and rattled up a century partnership for the first wicket. At one time they were well on target, with Messrs Leach and Rai licking their wounds in the outfield, but the skies darkened very quickly. At 212/2 the first in a flurry of wickets went down to James Nicholas (3/22) and Phil Ashworth (2/18), including dangerman Qazi for138 (including 9 sixes), but the darkness was making play very difficult.

Both captains agreed on a draw, with the visitors 231/7 and eight overs remaining.

Sunday 21st: Denham v Chesham Bois (Scorecards)

The visitors preferred a time game and elected to bat first. The aggressive Ashwin (73) was clubbing boundaries off one end , while Jack Grover (5/40) was bowling immaculately and steadily taking wickets at the other end, with honours about even.

With Chesham Bois132/6 and Ashwin gone, we thought we were through to their tail, but Kemp (88 not out) began carving the Denham attack to all parts of the ground, bringing the vistors' to their declaration total of 240/7 off 43 overs.

Ambrose Treacy (71) began the innings with as sweet a cover drive as you will find anywhere. He and James Nicholas put on 45 in next to no time, nearly all in boundaries. Then James got one that went all along the ground (his 17 today gave him 150 for once out at the weekend). Dave Maynard (56) put on over a hundred with Ambrose in quick time to give us hope. All the time it was getting darker. Messrs Payne and Brathwaite (19 each) managed to keep us close to the required rate for a while, but it was becoming difficult even danderous: some fielders - and Stuart Payne - went down with injuries from wayward balls.

We even had a shot at it, courtesy of some late bludgeoning in the gloom by Jack Grover (16 not out). 20 were needed off the last over, reducing to 12 off the last three balls. It was not to be and we finished at 229/7 after our allotted 39 overs.